Gratiot County
Gratiot County was established in 1855 and named for Charles Gariot. The county is home to over 41,368 residents and covers approximately 568.38 square miles of land. Ithaca serves as the county seat. The court system in Gratiot County consists of a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court.
The Gratiot County Circuit Court is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit in Michigan and handles a wide range of legal matters. The court is divided into various divisions, including Civil Division, Family Division, and Criminal Division. The Civil Division has authority over divorce, injunctions, and civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000. The Family Division handles cases involving family-related cases, including adoptions, child abuse and neglect, paternity, family support, and name changes. While the Criminal Division oversees felonies and criminal appeals from District Court. The Gratiot County District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, infractions, landlord/tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings for felonies. It also handles general civil claims where the amount in controversies is under $25,000. The District Court includes a Traffic Division and a Criminal Division. The Gratiot County Probate Court handles cases involving probate of wills, estate administration, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
The Gratiot County Clerk maintains and keeps records, including court records. These records consist of evidence, case files, docket entries, tapes, films, court orders, and exhibits. Gratiot's court records are public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, the FOIA does not permit access to certain records, such as mental health records, adoption records, and domestic violence records, unless requested with judicial orders or legal clearance. Common Gratiot court records include the following:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
- Family Records
Gratiot County allows the public to search for court records online through the Michigan Court Case Search or by visiting the courthouse in person at:
Gratiot County Courthouse
214 E Center Street
Ithaca, MI 48847
Phone: (989) 875-5215
